Gladstone Harbour Tour: The Coffee Cruise

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Estimated reading time: 2 Mins

What Cook failed to notice in 1770, Matthew Flinders did in 1802, kickstarting what then went on to become marked events of history. Despite having been welcomed by hurling stones and rocks from the local Goengs, Flinders explored Port Curtis for 12 whole days. The intention to establish North Australia as a prisoners’ colony only lasted a short while, where Port Curtis served as the capital. Port Curtis is now called the Gladstone Harbour where I was about to spend a good 3 hours touring Queensland’s largest multi-commodity port.

Gladstone Harbour (Port Curtis)

Steering towards the north side of the harbour, with Quoin, Picnic, Witt and Tide Islands in view, the cruise sailed alongside Curtis Island almost reaching up to Kangaroo Island before turning back around the passage Island. Enormous wharfs of Liquefied natural Gas plants were visible along the Curtis Island shore that exports million of tonnes of LNG each year. Coal, alumina, aluminium and liquid ammonia were amongst the other materials that utilised this large and busy port.

View of Mount Larcom

I found myself enjoying my coffee and banana muffin immensely as our captain continued to grab our attention intermittently with new trivia each time a harbour island or a wharf passed by.

Gigantic booms and jibs patterned varied angles as they lifted and lowered heavy vessels on the shore. The sea was silent, quietly shimmering as it reflected bright sunlight, while the cold wind soared and swooped, shrieking into our ears to make its presence known.

Gladstone Harbour

HMAS, Gladstone at East Precinct

Every experience has something unique to offer. Even though it was a short tour on the cruise, I went back home with a sweet memory and learning something new.

For me, I think it was the sheer joy of cruising along Pacific Ocean, witnessing the path discoverers once took centuries ago -creating history, that was a delight.